Apparatus protector

ABSTRACT

A device for protecting structures from corrosion and the like during storage is disclosed wherein the device includes a carrier defining at least one opening therein. The opening contains a mixture of organic ammonium nitrites with varying vapor pressures, a chemical buffer system for neutralizing lead acids, and any of a class of volatile anti-oxidants for preventing the formation of varnish and scavenging oxygen from varnish deposits. The carrier also contains means for attaching it to the structure to be protected.

United States Patent [1 1 Skildum Sept. 17, 1974 APPARATUS PROTECTOR [76] Inventor: John D. Skildum, 34 N. Oaks Rd,

St. Paul, Minn. 55110 [22] Filed: May 16, 1973 [21] Appl. No; 360,836

Related US. Application Data [62] Division OfSl'. No. 149,665, June 3, i971.

[52] US. Cl. 239/60, 21/2.5 B, 21/61 [51] Int. Cl. A611 9/04, C23f 11/02 [58] Field of Search 2l/2.5 B, 61; 239/36, 53, 239/54, 55, 56, 60

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,536,741 5/1925 Alden 239/54 1,763,678 6/1930 Smith 239/54 X 2,577,219 12/1951 Wachter et a1 21/2.5 B

2,647,839 8/1953 Zisman et al. 21/2.5 R X 2,898,026 8/1959 Aid 2l/2.5 B X 2,914,377 11/1959 Bull 21/61 UX 2,959,495 11/1960 Cubberley et 211.... 21/2.5 B UX 3,642,998 2/1972 Jennings 21/61 X Primary ExaminerBarry S. Richman [57] ABSTRACT A device for protecting structures from corrosion and the like during storage is disclosed wherein the device includes a carrier defining at least one opening therein. The opening contains a mixture of organic ammonium nitrites with varying vapor pressures, a chemical buffer system for neutralizing lead acids, and any of a class of volatile anti-oxidants for preventing the formation of varnish and scavenging oxygen from varnish deposits, The carrier also contains means for attaching it to the structure to be protected.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures APPARATUS PROTECTOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a division of my application Serial No. 149,665 filed June 3, 1971.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various storage type devices such as tackle boxes, tool chests, gun cases, and cabinets experience rusting and a formation of deposit which severely damage the contents. It is essential, therefore, that some means be utilized to retard the formation of rust or other deposits during storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to a device for protecting structures from corrosion and the like during storage and includes a carrier having therein a cavity, which cavity contains a mixture of organic ammonium nitrite with varying vapor pressures for diffusion through the carrier to the apparatus to be protected. The carrier has thereon means for attaching itself to the structure to be protected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for protecting apparatus.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved device for protecting apparatus in cluding a carrier filled with solid or crystaline materials having varying degrees of volatility for providing protection over extended periods of time.

It is a further object of the present invention to pro.- vide a device for protecting apparatus including acid neutralizing chemicals and varnish removing and preventing chemicals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the apparatus protector wherein the carrier 30, which is formed from an ester sponge having a generally rectangular shaped cross section, has a pair of openings 31 in one side thereof. The carrier 30 might be formed partially of a rigid material, if desired, but should have at least a portion thereof formed of an absorbent material in communication with the openings 31 for allowing the contents of the opening 31, to be discussed, to permeate outward and into the apparatus to be protected. The absorbent material may be treated with a low molecular weight organic ammonium nitrite, or may simply be untreated, depending upon final use. This sublimes quickly to provide initial protection.

The openings 31 have pellets 32 (this may simply be a dry powder, rather than in pellet form if desired) therein, which pellets 32 contain a mixture of a buffer system, anti-oxidants, and organic ammonium nitrites. The amounts of the various chemicals may vary somewhat because the carrier may be used in apparatus which is opened frequently, such as tool boxes and the like, or the carrier may be used in apparatus infrequently opened. In addition to the above-mentioned chemicals, varying amounts of a fungistat are desirable to protect the growth of fungus such as mildew and the like. The fungistat used in the present embodiment is paradichlorobenzene but is should be understood that other fungistats might be utilized if desired.

Referring now with more particularity to the composition of the pellets 32, the first element of the pellet is a mixture of organic ammonium nitrites with varying vapor pressures. The organic ammonium nitrite is a crystaline material which sublimes and salts out on the walls of the apparatus to be protected in the form of nitrite salts. The nitrite salts on the walls of the apparatus to be protected absorbs moisture within the apparatus to prevent rust on the various parts. A mixture of organic ammonium nitrites with varying vapor pressures is utilized to provide a constant protection over an extended period of time. The organic ammonium nitrites having higher vapor pressures sublime first and the lower vapor pressures sublime later so that a substantially constant and continual sublimation of organic ammonium nitries is occurring over the extended period of time. A satisfactory mixture of organic ammonium nitrites can be purchased commercially under the trademark VPl-270" but it should be understood that other mixtures will operate and different proportions of the organic ammonium nitrite having specific vapor pressures might be desired. It has been found that the mixture of organic ammonium nitrites provides a more efficient and constant protection over an extended period of time as the atmosphere within the apparatus to be protected is basic and preferably above a pH of approximately 5.5. In the preferred embodiment 2.24 grams are used.

Another element of the pellet 32 is a buffer system for neutralizing lead acids. The buffer system will maintain a preset pH within the apparatus to be protected regardless of the addition of additional buffer. Thus, the pH of the apparatus to be protected is held over a wide range of perimetric influences. The chemical buffer system performs a different function from a stabilizer which is a basic material such as amines, and so forth. A stabilizer will raise the pH of the engine as more of the basic materials is added and, in fact, may be operating in an uncontrollable and unpredictable kind of environment in regards to pH. In the present embodiment the buffer system is sodium tetraborate and .26 grams are used.

Additionally, the pellets 32 include 0.50 grams of any of a class of volatile anti-oxidants for preventing the formation of varnish and scavenging oxygen from varnish deposits. The antioxident utilized in the present invention is 2, 6 ditertiary butyl-4-methylphenol. A mixture of mono-di and tristyrenated phenol and phenyl-beta-naphthylamine is an example of another satisfactory anti-oxidant. It should be understood that other anti-oxidants may be used by those skilled in the art. Additionally, the chemical buffer system of the sodium tetraborate is dissolved in a high terpine solvent. The high terpine solvent provides a large molecular weight volatile material having a low vapor pressure. This acts like an aerosol can building up a highpressure head for moving the chemicals to various remote locations of the apparatus to be protected. In addition, the chemical buffer system, which includes the sodium tetraborate in this high terpine solvent system, provides a unique combination having the function of buffering the atmosphere in the apparatus to be protected. This is accomplished by the sodium tetraborate, the base former, in combination with the high terpine solvent, the acid former. The high terpine solvent allows a large amount of sodium tetraborate to be dissolved in it and some disassociation products are present. The net result is that a chemically defined buffer system is formed which is volatile and moves into all recesses of the apparatus to be protected and will stabilize the environment of that apparatus to allow more efficient utilization of the corrosion inhibitors.

' A sheet 33 of material, such as stiff paper or the like, is fixedly attached to the surface of the carrier 30 in overlying relationship to the opening 31. The sheet 33 prevents inadvertent removal of the pellets 32 (or powder) from the opening 31. The outwardly directed surface of the sheet 33 has a pressure sensitive layer of adhesive thereon which is covered by a protective sheet 34 (partially removed in FIG. 2). A carrier is mounted in any desired location by removing the protective sheet 34 and simply pressing the adhesive layer onto a smooth, dry surface. Many other means for mounting the carrier 30 may be devised by those skilled in the art but the present system is illustrated because of its simplicity.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of this invention, further modification and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art. I desire it to be understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular form shown and I intend in the appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for protecting structures from corrosion and the like during storage, comprising:

a. a carrier formd at least partially of an absorbent material and defining at least one cavity therein in communication with said absorbent material and opening outwardly at a side of said carrier, said cavity beinglarger than any pore in said absorbent material;

b. a mixture of organic ammonium nitrites with varying vapor pressures positioned in the cavity in said carrier; and

0. means affixed to said carrier for attaching said carrier to a structure to be protected and closing the cavity in said carrier to prevent the inadvertent removal of said mixture.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the carrier is formed substantially from an ester sponge.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means affixed to the carrier includes a strip of material affixed to the side of said sponge having the cavity therein, said strip having a pressure sensitive adhesive on the out wardly directed surface thereof.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1 including a chemical buffer positioned in said cavity in said carrier.

5. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said device further includes within said cavity an anti-oxidant an wherein said carrier consists essentially of an ester sponge.

6. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the chemical buffer includes sodium tetraborate and a high terpene containing solvent.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said high terpene containing solvent includes an acid forming material, whereby the sodium tetraborate is at least partially dissolved in said acid forming material.

8. The device as set forth in claim 1 including within said cavity a volatile anti-oxidant.

9. The device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said volatile anti-oxidant is selected from the group consisting of 2,6-di-tertiarybutyl-4-methylphenol, monostyrenated phenol, distyrenated phenol, tristyrenated phenol, phenyl-beta-naphthylamine, and mixtures 

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the carrier is formed substantially from an ester sponge.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means affixed to the carrier includes a strip of material affixed to the side of said sponge having the cavity therein, said strip having a pressure sensitive adhesive on the outwardly directed surface thereof.
 4. The device as set forth in claim 1 including a chemical buffer positioned in said cavity in said carrier.
 5. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said device further includes within said cavity an anti-oxidant an wherein said carrier consists essentially of an ester sponge.
 6. The device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the chemical buffer includes sodium tetraborate and a high terpene containing solvent.
 7. The device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said high terpene containing solvent includes an acid forming material, whereby the sodium tetraborate is at least partially dissolved in said acid forming material.
 8. The device as set forth in claim 1 including within said cavity a volatile anti-oxidant.
 9. The device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said volatile anti-oxidant is selected from the group consisting of 2,6-di-tertiarybutyl-4-methylphenol, monostyrenated phenol, distyrenated phenol, tristyrenated phenol, phenyl-beta-naphthylamine, and mixtures thereof. 